Solid solubility in 1:13 phase of doping element for La(Fe,Si)13 alloys

The influences of Ni, Cr and Nb as substitution elements for Fe were investigated. The change in microstructure and the magnetic properties have been discussed in detail. Substitution elements Ni, Cr and Nb not only have limited solubility in NaZn13-type (1:13) phase, but also hinder the peritectoid reaction. Ni element mainly enters into La-rich phase while Cr element mainly concentrates in α-Fe phase, which both have detriment effect on the peritectoid reaction, leading to a large residual of impurity phases after annealing and a decrease of magnetic entropy change. Besides, Ni and Cr participated in peritectoid reaction by entering parent phases but slightly entering 1:13 phase, which would cause the disappearance of first order magnetic phase transition. A new phase (Fe,Si)2Nb was found when Nb element substitutes Fe in La(Fe,Si)13, suggesting that Nb does not participate in peritectoid reaction and only exists in (Fe,Si)2Nb phase after annealing. The alloy with Nb substitution maintains the first order magnetic phase transition character.